Chris Granger / The Times-PicayuneLSU starter Anthony Ranaudo, who had a sub-par outing versus Virginia, has been all business in preparation for his start against Arkan´sas today at the College World Series.

OMAHA, NEB. -- As soon as he handed the ball to reliever Paul Bertuccini, the countdown to Anthony Ranaudo's mound appearance against Arkansas today began.

Ranaudo had just finished his shortest -- and worst -- outing of the season against Virginia last Saturday. Fortunately for LSU, things worked out and the Tigers came away with a victory.

But since then, Ranaudo has been described by his coach as a caged animal, dying to get out for a second chance, which will come at 1 p.m. today

"Yeah, that's about right," Ranaudo said with a smile. "Anytime you have a bad outing, it leaves a sour taste in your mouth and you want to get back out there.

"I'm really ready and anxious to get ready and compete real hard for the team, go as deep as I can in the game. I had a good bullpen. I've been feeling real good this week."

It's not just a pressure release for Ranaudo. The stakes are big for the Tigers, who can move into the championship round if they can defeat the Razorbacks. LSU has beaten Arkansas three out of four times this season, the latest a 9-1 triumph Monday.

An Arkansas victory forces a rematch Saturday at 1 p.m. with the victor moving on to the championship round.

Mainieri likes his chances, especially with a determined Ranaudo, whose last loss came at Arkansas, 11-4 on May 2.

"I've always been the kind of guy that whenever one of my guys that I count on has a bad game, I want to get them back on the horse as soon as possible. And this is the next opportunity," Mainieri said. "He's been our stallion all year, he's been our guy. He had one poor outing."

One who ought to know Ranaudo's mind-set is LSU catcher Micah Gibbs, who watches the pitching staff as closely as the coaches.

"He's real zoned in," Gibbs said. "I knew that's how he was going to be. He kinda was that same way as soon as he came off the mound that last inning, with a chip on his shoulder. He wanted to get right back out there.

"When he's in this kind of mood, my jokes aren't nearly as funny. I don't get that consolation laugh. When he's real serious, that's when I know he'll do real well."

The Tigers are facing a familiar foe, and one that knows a little something about bouncing back. The Hogs were down to their final strike Wednesday night against Virginia when a single and a two-run homer knotted the score and forced extra innings. Arkansas pitcher Dallas Keuchel then pitched out of four consecutive jams until the Hogs won 4-3 in 12 innings.

Arkansas also knows it can beat Ranaudo, who allowed five runs in six innings in the loss in Fayetteville.

"I remember they're a good team," Ranaudo said. "I struggled with my command, hit a few guys. They made me pay for my mistakes."

Ranaudo walked three and hit two batters. He allowed five runs in one inning. But in this different setting, Mainieri says the past means nothing.

"Our guys are confident they can play with Arkansas," he said. "We've had some success against them, but it has no bearing whatsoever on the game."

Left thin on pitching after Wednesday's 12-inning game and the possibility of having to play Saturday, Arkansas Coach Dave Van Horn is shuffling his staff. Left-handed closer Stephen Richards, who threw six pitches Wednesday, will start but probably won't go long.

Van Horn said third baseman Zack Cox also would be available, but he might not want to weaken his infield too much after losing shortstop Ben Tschepikow to a broken finger Wednesday.

"I've coached against Dave many times, and it seems like his M.O. anyway is that his starting pitcher will go out there and pitch two or three innings, then he'll go to his bullpen and count on his bullpen to carry the way," Mainieri said. "We're used to that. It makes no difference to me who they start and who they bring in. Whoever they bring in will be a challenge because he's an SEC pitcher."

Whoever pitches will be facing an LSU team that has been impressive offensively with five home runs among its 27 hits in two games. Mainieri's most recent challenge is keeping his team sharp. He also spoke to his team Thursday about seizing the moment and eliminating the need for a Saturday game.

"The worst thing we can do is approach this as if we have to win only one of the next two games," he said. "It never works. If you lose the first game, the pressure shifts to the team that only had to win one.

"We take the most immediate challenge. It's the only game on the schedule as far as we're concerned. If Arkansas can go out and beat Ranaudo and (Louis) Coleman, they deserve to be in the championship series."

Jim Kleinpeter can be reached at jkleinpeter@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3405.